Laguna Beach DUI Attorney

The Anatomy of a DUI Stop

After being charged with DUI, many drivers wonder what made the police pull them over. How does an officer gauge the possibility that a driver is under the influence? What actions make them suspicious? Are there other causes that might explain the presence of these behaviors? If you have been charged with a DUI, a Laguna Beach DUI attorney can explain these to you in more detail, but in the meantime, you can read on for more information.

Officers undergo special training to learn how to identify the actions of an intoxicated driver. Based on research conducted by the NHTSA, they work with a list of behaviors that, alone or in combination, are often seen as indications that the driver is under the influence. A qualified attorney can point out the flaws of this system to you, and discuss other possible causes for these actions. But what are they looking for? What might you have done to cause them to suspect you in the first place? According to the NHTSA, the following list can be indicative of an intoxicated driver:

• Appearing to be impaired
• Weaving
• Swerving
• Turning with a wide radius
• Drifting
• Stopping beyond a limit line
• Turning illegally
• Signaling inconsistent with driving actions
• Driving into opposing or crossing traffic
• Driving on other than the designated roadway

As you can probably see, these behaviors can often be caused by other factors, such as medical causes, outside influences, or even things that the officer simply didn't notice, such as an object in the road. Once you've been stopped, the officer is still on the lookout for other cues to confirm his suspicions. Detecting alcohol on your breath, seeing you fumble with your license or registration, or observing difficulty with your car's controls can often serve to underscore his suspicions. If your speech seems slurred, or you appear to be repeating yourself, or seem confused and disoriented, these can also be taken as signs of intoxication. Discuss this with your Laguna Beach DUI attorney. If you think you exhibited some of these behaviors, but have possible other explanations about what caused them, he may be able to use that information in your defense.

Whenever personal judgment and interpretation come into play, there's always room for error. Be informed, stay calm, and work with your attorney to build a strong defense against these charges.

Call (949) 497-1729 for a free consultation.